Yellow fever mosquitoes in LA county

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Virus-transmitting 'yellow fever' mosquitoes discovered in L.A. County 

Yellow fever mosquito

The yellow fever mosquito, shown in a file photo, has been found in Commerce and Pico Rivera. It is capable of transmitting viruses including dengue and yellow fever, but officials say those viruses aren't currently present in L.A. County. (U.S. Department of Agriculture)

By Veronica Rocha 

Aggressive daytime-biting mosquito found in Los Angeles region, capable of transmitting debilitating viruses
October 15, 2014, 11:07 AM

A new aggressive daytime-biting mosquito capable of transmitting debilitating and possibly deadly viruses has been found in the Los Angeles region, officials announced Wednesday..

Known as yellow fever mosquitoes, the insects were found Oct. 7 and 8 in Commerce and Pico Rivera, respectively, according to the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District. 

by Hailey Branson-Potts

The Aedes aegypti species, which has black and white stripes and grows to about a quarter-inch in size, can transmit dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever -- viruses that can cause painful symptoms including headaches and high fever, officials said.

"While these debilitating viruses, so far, aren't locally transmitted in L.A. County, the mosquitoes that can transmit them are now here," Susanne Kluh, the district's director of scientific-technical services, said in a statement. "Infected travelers can bring these viruses to Los Angeles County."

The mosquito is the third species of the Aedes genus found in Los Angeles County in the past three years, said district spokesman Levy Sun.

California residents cautioned to look out for yellow fever mosquitoLocalCalifornia residents cautioned to look out for yellow fever mosquitoSee all relatedí

The yellow fever mosquito -- which was first found in California, including in the Central Valley, in 2013 -- is an aggressive daytime biter that thrives in urban environments, preferring small, man-made containers to lay eggs.

"We're aggressively attacking the populations wherever we find them," said Jason Farned, spokesman for the San Gabriel Valley Vector Control District.

Determining how the Aedes species were introduced to California has been difficult, but officials say imported tires and plants are typically to blame. They can also travel via planes, ships and other vehicles.

Officials urged residents to report any daytime-biting mosquitoes with black and white stripes.

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waterboy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Valued Member Joined: January 21 2008 Status: Offline Points: 8170	Post Options Post Reply Quote waterboy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Yellow fever mosquitoes in LA county Posted: October 15 2014 at 1:31pm
	Virus-transmitting 'yellow fever' mosquitoes discovered in L.A. County Yellow fever mosquito The yellow fever mosquito, shown in a file photo, has been found in Commerce and Pico Rivera. It is capable of transmitting viruses including dengue and yellow fever, but officials say those viruses aren't currently present in L.A. County. (U.S. Department of Agriculture) By Veronica Rocha Aggressive daytime-biting mosquito found in Los Angeles region, capable of transmitting debilitating viruses October 15, 2014, 11:07 AM A new aggressive daytime-biting mosquito capable of transmitting debilitating and possibly deadly viruses has been found in the Los Angeles region, officials announced Wednesday.. Known as yellow fever mosquitoes, the insects were found Oct. 7 and 8 in Commerce and Pico Rivera, respectively, according to the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District. by Hailey Branson-Potts The Aedes aegypti species, which has black and white stripes and grows to about a quarter-inch in size, can transmit dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever -- viruses that can cause painful symptoms including headaches and high fever, officials said. "While these debilitating viruses, so far, aren't locally transmitted in L.A. County, the mosquitoes that can transmit them are now here," Susanne Kluh, the district's director of scientific-technical services, said in a statement. "Infected travelers can bring these viruses to Los Angeles County." The mosquito is the third species of the Aedes genus found in Los Angeles County in the past three years, said district spokesman Levy Sun. California residents cautioned to look out for yellow fever mosquitoLocalCalifornia residents cautioned to look out for yellow fever mosquitoSee all relatedí The yellow fever mosquito -- which was first found in California, including in the Central Valley, in 2013 -- is an aggressive daytime biter that thrives in urban environments, preferring small, man-made containers to lay eggs. "We're aggressively attacking the populations wherever we find them," said Jason Farned, spokesman for the San Gabriel Valley Vector Control District. Determining how the Aedes species were introduced to California has been difficult, but officials say imported tires and plants are typically to blame. They can also travel via planes, ships and other vehicles. Officials urged residents to report any daytime-biting mosquitoes with black and white stripes.